How UNICEF Is Helping Your Future

When you think about UNICEF, you might be a little unsure about what they do or how they could help you. You might have heard about the amazing work they do overseas, fighting malnutrition, vaccinating against deadly diseases and providing emergency supplies to children and families when disaster strikes. But how much do you know about the work they’re doing right here in Australia, to support every single child and young person – you included? 

They’re working with the government to make digital spaces safer for children and have been a fierce advocate for children and young people who have been impacted by floods and bushfires, calling on decision-makers to focus on the needs of children in a disaster. 

Digital Safety 

Children and young people are spending more and more time online which is increasing their exposure to digital risks, so improving the online world for young Australians is a top priority for UNICEF Australia. They recently worked with the government to improve Australia’s online laws and better protect children’s data. This is a huge first step towards making social media and messaging apps more secure and making Australia one of the safest countries in the world to go online. 
 

Mental Health Support 

Earlier this year, UNICEF Australia’s Young Ambassadors spent a week in Canberra to speak with Australia’s decision-makers at Parliament House and influence change. A big focus of the visit was to encourage the government to provide mental health support training to all teaching staff in Australia, so they’re equipped to help students when they need it most. Seeing a school counsellor or external therapist can be super intimidating, so being able to speak with a teacher whom students are familiar with, and trust can make mental health support a lot more accessible. They’ll continue urging decision-makers to make mental health support a priority. 
 

Disaster Relief 

Imagine losing all your belongings, your home and your car in a flood, fire or cyclone and having to clean the damage and recover financially without any help. It’s a scary thought, right? Children and young people have been through a lot over the past three years, with bushfires, floods and drought impacting their feelings of safety, wellbeing and their ability to go to school. UNICEF Australia is working to make sure no Australian family are forced to fend for themselves after a natural disaster and can get the support they need to recover and build their resilience. Thanks to work done by UNICEF Australia and their partners, the Australian Government has committed $4.5 million to support children affected by floods and children in 30 flood-affected schools have received mental health support. 
 

What would happen without UNICEF? 

. UNICEF is a children’s charity that has been around for over 75 years protecting vulnerable children globally and here in Australia. Without UNICEF we would be at risk of outbreaks of deadly diseases and millions of children could suffer from malnutrition. Scary thoughts.  UNICEF is the single largest vaccine buyer in the world, each year reaching almost half the world's children in over 100 countries with lifesaving vaccines to help prevent outbreaks of deadly diseases.  They work with local communities to reach children in remote villages, behind battle lines and in places devastated by natural disasters.  

Plus, millions of children would be at risk of malnutrition. UNICEF is the largest buyer of therapeutic food, a wonder peanut paste for children at the highest risk of malnutrition, and they work with partners to make sure it gets to children who need it the most.  
 

No matter who you are or where you’re from, UNICEF is always there for children and young people. If you want to read more about the incredible work they’re doing in Australia and around the world, check it out at https://www.unicef.org.au/what-we-do or follow UNICEF Australia on TikTok or IG.